Friday, June 10, 2011

A convicted rapist on the run for four years has been caught just hours after an appeal on BBC1’s Crimewatch Roadshow.

Turkish national Tolgay Istek was one of the country’s most wanted men after he skipped bail before going on trial for the rape of a woman in 2007.

In his absence, Liverpool Crown Court convicted the 24-year-old and sentenced him to eight years in prison.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and Interpol, the UK Border Agency, and the Turkish authorities all attempted to track him down.

But it was only on Tuesday that he was caught after the Crimewatch Roadshow – a day time spin off of the main programme – issued an appeal to viewers.

Istek, who is 6ft 1 with black hair and distinctive green eyes, was arrested within four hours of the programme airing - after viewers called in with vital information.

The programme had two calls after broadcast tracking him down to a café in London and by lunch time he was in custody.

Detective Sergeant Simon Fitzpatrick, who led the case for Merseyside Police, said: ‘Following the programme yesterday, we received some excellent information from members of the public who were able to identify the whereabouts of the offender.

‘This enabled me to coordinate a response with the Metropolitan Police, who attending the café in London where they arrested the male.'

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she was “thrilled” he had finally been caught.

The Crimewatch Roadshow, which is co-hosted by Rav Wilding and Miriam O’Reilly, is broadcasting every weekday morning in June from around the UK.

It is the fasted arrest made from an appeal on the day time programme, which since it started two years ago, has brought more than 40 criminals to justice.

But the main Crimewatch programme holds the record for the quickest arrest. Read More